Movies to watch with your long distance love
Whether you're navigating the distraction of election results or the challenge of long-distance separation, this curated list of romantic films offers the perfect cinematic escape to help you celebrate connection and presence this Valentine's Day
Love is undeniably in the air today, with overcrowded florists and Instagram feeds flooded with heart-shaped confections. Yet, this 14 February arrives with a unique twist. Amidst the usual scramble for dinner reservations, the city is equally engrossed in celebrating election results, momentarily swapping sweet nothings for heated political debates.
For others, the day brings the bittersweet pang of long-distance love, where shared routines are reduced to pixels on a screen. But whether you are navigating the noise of democracy or the silence of separation, romance need not take a back seat. Here is a curated watchlist to help you dim the lights, forget the miles (and the vote counts), and swap campaign drama for cinematic chemistry—whether you are celebrating together or apart.
About Time (2013)
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This time-travel romance offers a thoughtful reminder to appreciate the present. Instead of dwelling on the time spent in the past, it finds beauty in the most mundane and ordinary days. For couples spending the day away from each other, this movie encourages them to live in the present rather than grieving the distance.
Hothat Brishty (1998)
In an era of instant digital gratification, this Indo-Bangladeshi masterpiece by Basu Chatterjee is a poignant reminder of the romance found in patience. Starring Ferdous Ahmed and Priyanka Trivedi, it follows Ajit and Deepa, two strangers who fall in love through an epistolary romance after Ajit recovers Deepa's lost certificates.
The film masterfully orchestrates a symphony of 'near misses' in the bustling streets of Kolkata. The audience is kept on the edge of their seats as the lovers cross paths repeatedly—Deepa even unknowingly travels in Ajit's taxi—yet remain oblivious to their proximity. Its iconic climax at the railway station remains a landmark in Bengali cinema, proving that true love is an unseen, unwavering connection that destiny eventually brings to light
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
Very few films capture the true essence of longing quite like this Bollywood classic. Raj and Simran prove that love persists anywhere — from mustard fields to chance encounters on a train, or even travelling across continents. This movie is again a reminder that a little patience and courage is what love thrives on after all!
Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na (2008)
Imran Khan's filmography has never disappointed. If you and your partner are fans of the 'friends to lovers' trope, this movie is your best friend (pun intended). It captures the slow realisation of the fact that love is sometimes right in front of us. It is light-hearted, filled with delightful banter and perfect for couples who started as best friends, or still are.
Notting Hill (1999)
A small-town bookstore owner falls in love with a world-famous movie star. William and Anna's love story becomes the epitome of courage, chances and the rare feeling of magic. Their journey proves that love does not require perfection, only a little willingness to go the distance.
You've Got Mail (1998)
The ultimate "enemies-to-lovers" story for the digital age—even if that age involved dial-up internet! Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan play rival bookstore owners who despise each other in person but unknowingly fall in love over anonymous emails. It is a charming tribute to the power of words and the vulnerability of sharing your thoughts with a stranger who slowly becomes your everything.
The Lunchbox (2013)
In a world of fast-paced dating, The Lunchbox is a slow-cooked masterpiece. A mistaken delivery in Mumbai's famous dabbawala system links a lonely widower and a neglected housewife. Through handwritten notes tucked into tiffins, they build a sanctuary of shared secrets. It beautifully illustrates that intimacy can be built through the simplest of gestures, even when you aren't in the same room.
Valentine's Day, after all, is all about love and love demands presence. Whether you laugh together at your favourite scenes or text each other "This reminded me of us" — what matters is a shared experience, even from different time zones.
